Will a title reign come to an end in the New Beginning?

After a long and winding Road to, NJPW’s New Beginning is finally here! Will The Ace slay The Dragon or be trumped in a NEVER Openweight match?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Toru Yano & Kazuchika Okada VS Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL w/ Dick Togo; Yano & Okada win.
• 8 Man Tag: Kota Ibushi, SHO, Master Wato & Tomoaki Honma VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Ibushi, Sho, Wato & Honma win.
• Loser Can’t Mongolian Chop: Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins, Tenzan can never Mongolian Chop again.
• No Disqualifications: Will Ospreay VS Satoshi Kojima; Ospreay wins.
• NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; Tanahashi wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

Toru Yano & Kazuchika Okada VS Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

The provisional Mr. KOPW 2021 has made it through one month, but he has eleven more to go! Meanwhile, the Rainmaker still has to prove he is the top of NJPW! Will the Tokyo Pimp and King of Darkness look to replace them both for a New Beginning?

Yano wants the ref to be very thorough with checking the Bullet Club. The Bullet Club Low Sweets, and Evil starts with Okada. Fans rally already as Okada and Evil circle. Dick takes a swipe and then Evil attacks from behind! Yujiro gets in, he and Evil double whip but Okada kicks Yujiro away! Okada sends Evil into Yujiro then kicks low for a DDT! Fans cheer, Dick is on the apron but Okada backs him off. Okada goes out after him anyway, and Yano corners Dick! Fans cheer as Okada kicks Dick and puts him in the ring! Yano gets in, too, and Chaos hammer away on Dick! Okada makes it a drum solo! Fans cheer as Okada goes after Evil, stomps him, clubs him, then elbows him.

Okada snapmares Evil, runs, but Evil grabs the ref and Dick trips Okada up! Yujiro runs over to DECK Yano, then Evil throws Okada out! Evil clubs Okada, Yujiro whips Yano into railing, then Evil whips Okada into railing! Fans rally but Evil digs his fingers into Okada’s face! The ref reprimands and Evil stops, and Evil mocks the “O-KA-DA!” clapping. Evil puts Okada in the ring, stands on Okada’s neck, but lets off when the ref reprimands. Tag to Yujiro and Yujiro drags Okada up. Yujiro whips Okada in, and TADA! The buckle is bare! Okada hits steel and Yano protests, even though that’s his trick. Actually that might be why he’s upset. Yujiro snapmares Okada to boot him down! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally for Okada but Yujiro tags in Evil. Evil drags Okada up, brings him around, and hammerlocks him to then put on a cobra twist! Bullet Club forms a chain to the railing! Yano protests, the ref is busy with him but then he sees what’s going on! The ref counts and Bullet Club lets go at 4. Fans rally up but Evil brings Okada up. Okada throws body shots and forearms, but Evil whips him back into bare buckles! Evil fireman’s carries but Okada fights out. Okada gets to a corner, Evil runs in but Okada boots him away! Okada runs into Evil’s kick but Evil runs into Okada’s BOOT! Both men are down again and fans fire up! Okada rolls, hot tags to Yujiro and Yano!

Yano dodges Yujiro to untie a buckle pad! Yujiro clubs Yano first, whips but Yano reverses, to then go back to the pad! Yano has the white pad, gives it to Yujiro, and the ref is busy with Yujiro while Yano unties the other buckle pad! Three bare corners! Yano throws this pad at Yujiro, too! The ref takes the pad and then Yano rakes Yujiro’s eyes! Yano whips but Yujiro reverses and Yano suffers at his own bare buckle plan! FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Yano survives and Yujiro frowns. Yujiro stomps Yano, brings him up for forearms, then whips him to ropes. Yano holds ropes, taunts Yujiro, and then is in the ropes as defense.

Evil swipes at Yano, Yano scrambles away but Yujiro ROCKS Yano with a forearm! Yano staggers into Dick’s hotshot! Yujiro gets his pimp cane! Evil distracts the ref, CANE SHOT!! Cover, but Okada breaks it! Okada DECKS Evil, but Yujiro kicks low! Yujiro whips but Okada reverses to dropkick Yujiro down! Okada shouts to Yano to capitalize, and fans rally up as Okada goes after Evil. Yano gets the pimp cane?! Dick takes it from him, but Yano drags Dick in! The ref reprimands DICK! Yano waistlocks Yano but Yano LOW BLOWS! Yano shoves Yujiro into Dick, rolls Yujiro up, CHAOS WINS!

Winners: Toru Yano & Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall

No one can outdo Mr. KOPW 2021 in being a trickster! Will he and the Rainmaker make it through these new beginnings still on top?

8 Man Tag: Kota Ibushi, SHO, Master Wato & Tomoaki Honma VS Los Ingobernables de Japon!

The Golden Star is set to defend against the Cold Skull! The High Voltage wants to short circuit the Ticking Timebomb’s own reign! And the Grandmaster has been called out by Death Mask! Will Everyone’s Kokeshi help them stand against Sanada, Hiromu, Bushi and Naito?

The teams sort out, and Wato insists he start. The others agree, and after LIJ fist bumps, it is Bushi who steps up against Wato. They tie righ tup at the bell, Wato puts Bushi on the ropes but Bushi turns it around> Wato turns it back arond, then Bush, but Wato avoids the cheap shot! Wato mule kicks, clubs and whips, then hurdles to back elbow. Bushi avoids the rest, runs and rolls off Wato’s back to then kick and whpi. Wato reverses and tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKERS! Wato kicks Bushi while he’s down, then KICKS him towards the corner! Wato stomps Bushi, digs his boot in, then rains down fists! The ref counts, tries to get Wato to let off, but Honma tags in.

Honma stomps Bushi, brings Bushi up and kicks low. Honma clubs Bushi, runs, and goes after Naito! Naito gets away but Bushi clubs Honma. Bushi runs but Honma elbows him down. Honma fires up and runs but Naito gets a cheap shot in! Naito clubs Honma, whips but Honma reverses, only for Naito to reverse and get around. Honma elbows Naito down then fires up, but Hiromu trips him up! Sanada basement dropkicks Honma, then LIJ goes after Team Ibushi! Bushi dropkicks Wato down, Hiromu trips Sho off the apron, and Bushi DECKS Ibushi! Sanada goes out to hit Ibushi while Hiromu whips Sho into railing and Naito stomps Wato.

Bushi headlocks Honma and brings him to a corner and digs his face into buckles. Bushi then bumps Honma off buckles and stomps him in the LIJ corner. LIJ leaves the others alone and Naito tags in. Naito stomps Honma, brings him over and bumps him off other buckles before throwing forearms! Naito rakes Honma’s eyes but the ref reprimands. Honma kicks back but Naito blocks the leg to club the elbow! Naito fires off haymakers then whips corner to corner. Naito runs in, rocket kick! Leg sweep, and then less swing for that basement dropkick! Still Combinacion Cabron! Naito drags Honma up, Honma hits back with forearms, but Naito throws strikes back!

Naito throws back elbows over and over on Honma, then snapmares him to a cravat crank on the mat! Sho gets in to stomp Naito but Hiromu throws Sho out. Sanada tags in and both Bushi and Hiromu join in as LIJ all stomps Honma! Ibushi protests, gets the fans rallying for “HO-N-MA!” but Naito and Sanada double whip. Honma dodges, goes after Naito but Naito elbows free. Honma spins Naito, catches Sanada, DDT COMPLETE SHOT COMBO! Fans rally up as all three men are down, hot tag to Ibushi! Ibushi springboards but Sanada gets under! Ibushi elbows Bushi and Hiromu down, goes up and over Sanada as he runs in, then gets Sanada for a SPINNING POWERSLAM!

Ibushi somersaults to the corner for a MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Ibushi and he brings Sanada up in a waistlock. Sanada switches, Ibushi elbows, but Ibushi runs into a RANA! Ibushi flops out of the ring, Sanada takes aim, PLANCHA! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans get louder and Sanada is satisfied with that. Sanada brings Ibushi back up, puts him in, and covers, TWO! Sanada keeps his cool and brings Ibushi back up. Ibushi kicks but Sanada blocks to trip Ibushi. Sanada gets the legs, and he goes to tie Ibushi up! Ibushi kicks Sanada away, runs in at the corner, but Sanada elbows him away.

Sanada Quebrada but Ibushi gets under, only to run into a fireman’s carry! Ibushi fights free, but Sanada ducks the roundhouse to kick and run, into Ibushi’s RANA! Both men are down but fans rally up, and the two crawl to hot tag Hiromu and Sho! Sho and Hiromu collide then start throwing forearms back and forth! Fans rally as they go faster and faster, but Hiromu bumps Sho off buckles. Hiromu fires off several forearms, but Sho gives them all back! Sho has Hiromu down in the corner but Hiromu gets up, only for Sho to ROCK him! Sho runs, Hiromu follows and corner clotheslines! Hiromu runs but Sho follows to return that clothesline!

Sho runs but Hiromu follows again, but Sho puts Hiromu on the apron! Sho sweeps the legs, runs side to side and baseball slides Hiromu off the apron! Sho builds speed, but Hiromu gets in! Sho dodges Hiromu, to SPEAR, but Hiromu blocks it!! Hiromu suplexes, Sho slips out but Hiromu elbows him away. Hiromu runs, Sho dodges and comes back to SPEAR! Direct hit this time and Sho powers up! Sho drags Hiromu up, suplexes, but Hiromu slips out to waistlock. Sho elbows over and over but Hiromu reels him in. Sho throws forearms from all sides now, but Hiromu gives one back! Sho ROCKS Hiromu, runs, but into a POP-UP BOMB!

Hiromu can’t make the cover but fans rally up as both men head for their corners! Hot tag to Bushi, he and Sanada dropkick Wato and Honma! Naito whips Sho for Bushi to sunset flip, and Bushi sends Sho into Naito’s basement dropkick! Bushi brings Sho around while LIJ keeps the others down, BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Bushi drags Sho up, wrenches and lifts, but Honma gets in to CLOBBER Bushi! Naito gives Honma an atomic drop, but runs into a LEAPING HEADBUTT! Sanada dropkicks Honma but Ibushi springboard missile dropkicks Sanada! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Ibushi, then kicks Wato!

Hiromu and Bushi double whip, double hip toss, then throw Wato again, but Wato lands on his feet! Wato KICKS Hiromu, mule kicks Bushi, and sets Bushi up for Sho’s LARIAT! Sho stands Bushi up Wato’s DREAMCAST KICK! Sho brings Bushi back around, lifts, POWER BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives and fans fire up! Sho takes aim with the bow and drags Bushi back up. Sho tucks the arms, LIJ fights off Team Ibushi, but SHOCK ARROW hits! Cover, Sho and team win!

Winners: Kota Ibushi, Sho, Master Wato & Tomoaki Honma, by pinfall

A big win for the many rivals of LIJ! Will this momentum help Sho shock Hiromu in their IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship battle? What of the momentum for Sanada challenging Ibushi for the IWGP Heavyweight and Intecontinental Double Championship?

Loser Can’t Mongolian Chop: Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Great-O-Khan!

The stipulation is fairly self-explanatory. Both men use the Mongolian Chop attack in their arsenal, but that will all change tonight! Will Ikari no Mogyu or the United Empire’s Dominator be the one true master of the double chop strike?

Khan rushes Tenzan as he heads down the ramp, but Tenzan RAMS Khan down! Tenzan stomps Khan and fans fire up! Tenzan clubs Khan, rams him into the apron then stomps him more! The ref says to get this in the ring but Tenzan whips Khan into railing! Fans fire up more as Tenzan drags Khan up and around into the ring. Tenzan gets in and the bell finally rings to start the match! Tenzan stomps Khan more, headbutts him, then stomps him more. Khan eggs him on so Tenzan stomps him again and again. Tenzan drags Khan up for another headbutt! Tenzan whips, and hits the Mongolian Chop! Fans fire up and Tenzan chokes Khan!

The ref reprimands and counts, Tenzan lets off at 4, and Tenzan stomps and chops Khan. Tenzan hits another Mongolian Chop! And another! And another! Tenzan eggs Khan on and Khan kicks back! To then give a Mongolian Chop! And another! And another! Tenzan gives the Mongolian Chops back, but Khan knees low! Khan gives karate chops over and over to Tenzan’s back! And then drags Tenzan into an arm-and-head triangle! Fans rally as Tenzan endures, but Khan shifts to clamp onto the shoulder! Khan digs his claw in, Tenzan endures but Khan stomps him down! Fans rally for Tenzan but Khan drags him back up.

Khan has the cravat, snapmares then sits him up for a chinlock. Tenzan endures the knee in his back, Khan shifts to a headscissor headlock! Tenzan kicks and flails but Khan squeezes tight! Tenzan rolls, and gets to the ropes! The ref counts, Khan lets go at 3, and Tenzan can breathe again. Khan drags Tenzan to a cover, TWO! Khan is annoyed as fans cheer. Khan drags Tenzan up and turns him for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Khan drags Tenzan up and bumps him off buckles. Khan clubs Tenzan, then climbs up to sit on Tenzan’s head! The ref counts, Khan hops off at 4, and paces as fans rally up again. Khan stomps Tenzan, eggs him on, then pushes Tenzan’s head into his boot.

Tenzan fights up, throws body shots, but Khan ROCKS Tenzan! Khan runs, into the windmill kick! Tenzan fires up and the fans follow as he gives Khan more Mongolian Chops! Khan flops down and bails out but Tenzan pursues to club and stomp Khan! Tenzan puts Khan back in, stomps him more then gives him a back hand CHOP! Tenzan bumps Khan off buckles, stomps him, headbutts him, and fires up again. Tenzan headbutts and stomps more, then rakes Khan’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Tenzan stops and whips Khan corner to corner. Tenzan runs in to corner splash! Khan sputters and Tenzan goes up top!

Tenzan drags Khan up by his hair, then hits CALF BRANDING, the falling knee drop! Tenzan says it’s not done here, he goes back to the corner and back up! Fans rally, and Tenzan hits a FLYING MONGOLIAN CHOP! Tenzan stomps Khan more, chops him more, then eggs him on. Khan gets up, Tenzan headbutts and brings Khan up. Tenzan calls his shot and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Tenzan keeps his focus as he says he’ll hit the driver! Tenzan drags Khan up, scoops, but Khan fights that off to hit a HALF NELSON FACEBUSTER! Fans rally up as both men are down and Khan gets up first. Khan powers up, takes aim, and clamps onto Tenzan’s face with the claw!

But Tenzan breaks free to Mongolian Chop! And again! And again! Tenzan eggs Khan on, Khan puts some stank on his own Mongolian Chops! Tenzan gives one back, and now it’s a back and forth of Mongolian Chops! Tenzan hits, Khan hits, then they BOTH hit! And again! Whose chop is stronger?! Tenzan falls to a knee, Khan fires up and runs, but Tenzan LARIATS! Fans fire up as Tenzan paces, and drops an elbow! ANACONDA VICE!! Khan flails, endures, even pulls Tenzan’s hair, but he has to kick his way over towards ropes! Tenzan drags Khan up and away for an ANACONDA BUSTER! Cover, TWO!?! Khan survives but Tenzan vows to end this!

Tenzan goes up, TENZAN PRESS FLOPS!! Khan avoids disaster! Fans fire up as Khan stomps and chops away on Tenzan’s back! Khan drags Tenzan back up, scoops, but Tenzan fights it off! Tenzan throws body shots and a HEADBUTT! Tenzan fires up, scoops Khan, but Tenzan’s arms give up! Khan BOOTS Tenzan down! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer as Tenzan is still in this! Khan drags Tenzan back up, gives him another Mongolian Chop, and then another! Khan hits a third and Tenzan falls! Khan drags Tenzan back up, scoops him, and hits the TTD?!? Cover, TWO!?!? Tenzan survives Khan’s take on his other signature!!

Tenzan runs in, but into the claw! ELIMINATOR CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, Khan wins!!

Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (Hiroyoshi Tenzan CANNOT use Mongolian Chop)

The Dominator takes away Tenzan’s signature strike! And he won’t even let Young Lions check on Tenzan! Khan gets in Tenzan’s face about having conquered him, and then stomps him again! Is this just the beginning of what the United Empire will do to NJPW?

No Disqualifications: Will Ospreay VS Satoshi Kojima!

Speaking of, The Aerial Assassin is building his United Empire on the legends he defeats! Will he add the Cozy Strong Arm to that foundation in a match with no restraints?

Ospreay comes prepared with a trash can, several lids and even some cookie sheets, and a guitar! He throws the ring steps aside but he might end up using those, too. Kojima makes his entrance, bringing just himself! Ospreay builds speed but Kojima stays clear so Ospreay cancels his flight. Kojima gets in, he and Ospreay throw hands, and the bell rings! They go back and forth with fast and furious forearms but Ospreay knees low. Ospreay throws Kojima out, CHOPS him then whips him into railing! Ospreay headbutts Kojima around the way, throws forearms, then throws haymakers as they go up the ramp.

Ospreay fetches some of the stuff he brought, and he SMACKS Kojima with the cookie sheet! Ospreay shouts, “Who’s the tough guy in Japan now?! It’s me!” Ospreay throws haymakers and Kojima goes back towards the ring. Ospreay brings him around to the trash can, but Kojima back drops Ospreay onto it! Fans fire up as Ospreay writhes and Kojima kicks him to railing. Kojima throws forearms and elbows then POSTS Ospreay! Ospreay staggers away, Kojima kicks him then puts him in the ring. Ospreay boots back then runs, and boots again! Ospreay keeps moving but Kojima runs him over! And elbows him down! Ospreay bails out again but Kojima aims to PLANCHA!

But Ospreay gets clear and Kojima hits floor! Ospreay goes up the corner to leap, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Kojima is sent crashing into railing, but fans rally up as Ospreay fetches something from under the ring. Ospreay brings out a ladder! Ospreay aims at Kojima, and RAMS him down with the ladder! Ospreay shouts, “What’s my name?!” Ospreay opens the ladder, and the restraint is broken so it goes full 180 open. Ospreay doesn’t mind, he makes it a bridge between ring and railing. Ospreay brings Kojima around and whips, but Kojima blocks! Ospreay tries again but Kojima reverses! Ospreay slides under the ladder bridge, to then BOOT it into Kojima!

Kojima goes down, Ospreay goes back under the ladder and brings Kojima up. Fans rally, Ospreay puts Kojima in the ring, and Ospreay drops knees on Kojima’s chest! Kojima sputters, Ospreay drops another knee! Ospreay drags Kojima up, throws a hard body shot forearm, and Kojima doubles over! Ospreay undoes a corner pad and tosses it aside. Ospreay drags Kojima up, whips him in and Kojima gets bare buckles to the back! Fans rally for Kojima but Ospreay laughs at then. Ospreay brings Kojima up but Kojima hits back with body shots of his own! Ospreay scoops Kojima for a turning BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Kojima survives but Ospreay goes out to fetch more things.

Ospreay brings in chairs! Ospreay sits one chair up, then brings Kojima over, to put his jaw against the seat! Ospreay stands on Kojima’s head, fans rally and Ospreay runs, Kojima HIP TOSSES Ospreay onto the chair! Kojima stalks Ospreay to a corner and CHOPS! And fires off the MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Kojima whips Ospreay corner to corner, runs in and hits a forearm! Kojima throws Ospreay down, grabs the other chair, and sets it on Ospreay’s chest! Kojima climbs up, FULL METAL MACHO ELBOW! It’s double-edged for Kojima but both men are down and writhing! Fans rally as Ospreay clutches ribs and Kojima clutches his arm.

Kojima gets up, throws forearms over and over, then hits a ROLLING ELBOW! Fans fire up, Kojima brings Ospreay back up and CHOPS! Kojima whips, Ospreay handsprings, NEURALIZER ENZIGURI! Kojima goes down, Ospreay fetches more things from under the ring! He rips the apron skirts away until he finds… a TABLE! Ospreay sets the table up, brings Kojima to the apron, but Kojima blocks the suplex! Kojima throws body shots and forearms, then runs, but into a springboard PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay drags Kojima up for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Kojima survives and Ospreay grows frustrated.

Ospreay goes out, grabs that guitar he brought, and gets back in the ring. Ospreay wants to do his best Double J as Kojima staggers up, but Kojima dodges to hit a DDT! Kojima sees the guitar and decides to take it for his own! COZY SMASH HIT!! The guitar is done but both Kojima and Ospreay are still in this match. Kojima goes out and fetches a table of his own! Kojima puts the table in, sets it up in a corner, then goes back for Ospreay. Ospreay resists the bomb lift, back drops Kojima, then runs back in, but Kojima swats his clothesline away! COZY CUTTER! Kojima powers up, runs, but Ospreay spins through the lariat to get the lift! POWERBOMB THROUGH THE TABLE!! Kojima’s plan backfires!

Fans still rally up but Ospreay rises first. Ospreay runs, springboards, OSCUTTER! Cover, TWO!?! Kojima survives and shocks Ospreay! Ospreay goes back out and gets even more chairs! Ospreay goes in, brings a chair, and SMACKS Kojima right on the back! Ospreay sits the chairs up together, making a chair square. Ospreay gets a fifth chair, digs it into Kojima’s head, then tosses it aside. Ospreay brings Kojima around, sits Kojima down and fires off haymakers! Ospreay then goes to the corner, goes up top, but Kojima stops him with haymakers of his own! Kojima COZY LARIATS Ospreay off the top, and he FALLS THROUGH THE LADDER!!!

The ref goes out to check on Ospreay and fans rally up. Somehow Ospreay is okay and a ring count starts. Kojima crawls through the chairs while Ospreay is still down. The ring count is 10 of 20 but Ospreay hasn’t gotten up! Kojima tells the ref to stop counting and he goes out to fetch Ospreay! Kojima puts Ospreay in and fans cheer that he wants to finish this in the ring! Kojima brings Ospreay up to suplex, BRAIN BUSTER ON CHAIRS! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives but Kojima is too tired to be upset. Kojima takes off the arm band! Kojima runs, into a SUPERKICK! He keeps trying but Ospreay SUPERKICKS again!

Ospreay dodges, springboards, BLINDSIDE COZY LARIAT! Kojima powers up again, but Ospreay dodges and gets a chair! Ospreay tosses the chair at Kojima, he catches it, FULL METAL HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay hurries back up, ANOTHER HIDDEN BLADE!! And then, double underhooks, lift, STORMBREAKER!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall

An incredible fight that was incredibly painful, and it’s the United Empire’s leader who stands tall! Well, so to speak. Will Ospreay lead his faction into the future by any means necessary?

NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!

This battle was set in motion by World Tag League when LIJ’s Dragon and Cold Skull battled The Ace and Hammerhead Toa Henare. Now, it comes to a head, and we see if Takagi can continue to build his legacy against the Once in a Century Talent!

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the end of new beginnings in Nagoya begins!

Fans rally up already as Tanahashi and Takagi circle. They approach, feel out the grapple, and tie up with knuckle locks. Tanahashi shoots in but Takagi gets away and the two reset. Fans rally, Tanahashi and Takagi tie up, and Takagi powers Tanahashi to ropes. Tanahashi turns it around, Red Shoes calls for a break, but Takagi dodges the cheap shot! Tanahashi dodges Takagi’s retaliation and hits an arm-drag to an armlock! Fans rally, Takagi gets up but Tanahashi wrenches to a wristlock. Takagi body shots, rolls, and wrenches back. Takagi hammerlocks the arm, Tanahashi drop toeholds and floats to a chinlock.

Takagi fights up, pries at the hold and gets around to hammerlock then headlock. Tanahashi endures the grind, throws body shots and powers out to drop toehold again. Tanahashi has another headlock and he grinds Takagi, but Takagi fights up. Takagi tries to power out but Tanahashi grinds harder! Takagi throws body shots, powers out and is free, but Tanahashi rams him! Takagi blocks the hip toss to body shot and throw Tanahashi down! But Tanahashi victory rolls, TWO! Takagi runs into a headlock takeover, headscissors in return, but Tanahashi pops free. Fans cheer as the two stand off and reset again. Takagi and Tanahashi circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock!

Tanahashi uses leverage to put Takagi in a corner but Takagi turns it around. They go around and around in the corner, Red Shoes calls for the break, but Takagi throws forearms! Takagi whips corner to corner, runs in and blocks a boot! Takagi eggs Tanahashi on then CLOBBERS him! Takagi toys with Tanahashi but Tanahashi throws forearms! Takagi shoves Tanahashi to fire off JABS and CHOPS back and forth! Red Shoes has Takagi let off, Takagi comes back but Tanahashi palm strikes! Tanahashi whips Takagi and dropkicks the legs out! Takagi flounders to ropes but Tanahashi grabs his leg.

Fans rally as Tanahashi turns Takagi over, to SMASH the knee on his knee! Like a backbreaker but to the leg! Tanahashi drops elbows on the leg, cranks back on it, but Takagi reaches for ropes. Tanahashi pulls Takagi away and drops a leg on the leg! Tanahashi ties the legs up for a butterfly deathlock! Takagi endures, fans rally, and Takagi back hands, only for Tanahashi to push harder on the legs! Takagi drags himself and Tanahashi back, Tanahashi puts as much pressure as he can, but Takagi gets the ropebreak! Tanahashi lets go and shakes his own legs out. Tanahashi kicks Takagi’s legs, grabs it, but Takagi fights him off!

Tanahashi throws body shots, whips, but Takagi holds ropes to then run Tanahashi over! Fans cheer and Takagi clotheslines Tanahashi out of the ring! Takagi catches his breath before going out to fetch Tanahashi. Fans rally as Takagi whips Tanahashi into railing! Takagi brings Tanahashi back up to bump him off apron, then again. Takagi fireman’s carries and APRON SNAKE EYES! Then he hits a DDT to the floor! Takagi fires up and fans cheer as Takagi hobbles. Takagi gets his bad leg moving, the ring count climbs but Takagi brings Tanahashi up at 12 of 20 to put him. SLINGSHOT STOMP!

Takagi drags Tanahashi up, cranks with a facelock, then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Takagi keeps Tanahashi down with a headlock. Tanahashi endures as Takagi makes it a modified half nelson stretch, then shifts to sit him up. Takagi rains down elbows, covers, TWO! Takagi keeps moving, going up for the FALLING ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Takagi toys with Tanahashi, drags him up, and chicken wings, but Tanahashi fights off the Gory to fire off forearms and elbows! Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS and Tanahashi drops to a knee! Takagi whips Tanahashi to ropes, then KNEES him at the rope, but Tanahashi blocks it!

Takagi tries to punch Tanahashi away, but Tanahashi still DRAGON SCREWS! But Takagi spins through with it! Takagi runs, Tanahashi dodges the sliding lariat! Tanahashi dropkicks the leg, then gets it for a DRAGON SCREW! And this time it hits! Fans rally as both men rise and Tanahashi stalks behind Takagi. Tanahashi throws forearms, whips, but Takagi reverses, only for Tanahashi to hit flying forearms! Fans fire up with Tanahashi as he drags Takagi up and scoop slams him into the drop zone! Tanahashi goes up to the second rope, SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally again as both men rise. Tanahashi runs into the corner, he blocks Takagi’s boot but Takagi boots him away with the other leg! Tanahashi runs but Takagi puts him on the apron, to then hotshot! Takagi goes to the apron to join Tanahashi, fans fire up and Takagi fireman’s carries! Tanahashi fights to get free, but Takagi ROCKS him. But Tanahashi dropkicks the leg! Takagi falls to the floor and fans rally up again. Tanahashi fires up now and he goes to the corner. Tanahashi climbs, Takagi stands, ACES HIGH! Direct hit and down goes the Dragon! Red Shoes checks on both men but they’re okay to continue.

The ring count stars, Tanahashi drags himself up at 5 and gets in at 8. Takagi is still down at 11 of 20, gets up at 13 and hobbles at 15. Takagi is in at 17 but Tanahashi has the leg, DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi rises as Takagi clutches his leg. Tanahashi powers up, runs, but Takagi elbows! JABS! But Tanahashi blocks the lariat! Takagi fights him off, chicken wing, spin, and Takagi steals TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Fans fire up as Takagi drags Tanahashi back up. Takagi suplexes, but Tanahashi fights it off so Takagi TWIST ‘N’ SHOUTS again! Takagi sits Tanahashi up, runs, SLIDING LARIAT! But the leg bothers Takagi so he can’t make the cover here. Fans rally up as Takagi stands.

Takagi hobbles over to Tanahashi as the fans get louder. Takagi toys with Tanahashi as he gives those kicks. He talks some trash and Tanahashi gets mad. Tanahashi eggs Takagi on as Takagi keeps kicking him, and then blocks the kick to dropkick the bad leg! Fans rally again as Tanahashi stomps Takagi and taunts him in return. Takagi eggs Tanahashi on now and dares him to hit harder. Tanahashi stomps more, Takagi still eggs him on, then Takagi blocks the kick to spin Tanahashi, run, and CHOP BLOCK! It was just enough to clip Tanahashi, but then Takagi drops a knee on the leg! Takagi gets back up as fans rally again.

Takagi stalks Tanahashi to a corner and taunts him again. Takagi gives toying kicks but Tanahashi throws serious forearms! Takagi puts Tanahashi’s leg in the ropes, then gets the other, DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Takagi brings Tanahashi around, air guitars on Tanahashi’s leg, then steps through. Tanahashi kicks Takagi away, gets up, but runs into Takagi’s LARIAT! Takagi drags Tanahashi back up, reels him in, POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO, but Takagi gets a HALF CRAB! Tanahashi endures, Takagi pulls back hard, and then drops to a toehold! Like the deathlock in an STF, just no crossface! Tanahashi endures, moves around, but Takagi pulls harder on the leg!

Tanahashi still gets the ropebreak! Takagi lets Tanahashi go, fans fire up again, and Takagi gets them on the “OI! OI! OI!” rhythm. Takagi pump handles, Tanahashi resists, but Takagi throws knees. Tanahashi trips Takagi for GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And another GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Takagi clutches his leg but Tanahashi goes after both. Takagi gets the ropebreak, Tanahashi stomps his leg, then has Takagi in a corner. Tanahashi clubs Takagi, Takagi throws elbows, but they go up the corner. Tanahashi has Takagi up top, SUPER DRAGON SCREW!! Takagi writhes and clutches his knee as Tanahashi gets up. Tanahashi gets the legs for the CLOVERLEAF!

Takagi endures, Tanahashi sits deep, but Takagi refuses to give up! Red Shoes checks on Takagi as he starts to fade! Takagi opens an eye, grabs at Red Shoes, and then gets a second wind! Takagi powers up but Tanahashi just lets him go! Tanahashi goes to the corner, goes up top, HIGH FLY FLOW to Takagi’s back! Tanahashi goes up again, HIGH FLY FLOW, FLOPS!! Takagi avoids the final flow and fans fire up! Takagi drags Tanahashi back, wheelbarrow CORNER GERMAN! Takagi shouts and gets his bad leg moving again. Fans rally up, Takagi brings Tanahashi back up, but Tanahashi catches the lariat to a full nelson!

Takagi fights that off, catches Tanahashi to a full nelson, and hits a DRAGON SUPLEX! The Dragon hits a Dragon Suplex! Fans are thunderous as Takagi demands Tanahashi stands back up! Tanahashi stands, Takagi runs, PUMPING BOMBER! But Takagi isn’t done there, he wants Tanahashi to stand again! Takagi runs as best he can, but Tanahashi dodges! SLING- NO! Pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?!? The Ace survives and the Dragon cannot believe it! Fans fire up again, Takagi drags Tanahashi up, pump handle and fireman’s carry, but Tanahashi fights out to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

Tanahashi holds on, drags Takagi up, ANOTHER TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! He still holds on, brings Takagi up again, A THIRD TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Takagi sits up in a daze, Tanahashi powers up and runs, but Takagi gets around him! Tanahashi full nelsons, Takagi breaks free, but Tanahashi has the STRAITJACKET GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Takagi survives but Tanahashi isn’t done! Tanahashi runs, SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi hurries to the corner and up top, but Takagi stands. HIGH FLY ATTACK- Takagi catches it?! Takagi pops Tanahashi up, and hits a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Both men are down but fans are thunderous again!

Tanahashi goes to a corner and Takagi fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” again. Takagi runs in, corner clotheslines! Tanahashi fires off forearms in return! Takagi ducks the next to sleeper hold, and he shifts to a dragon sleeper! A dragon sleeper from the Dragon! Tanahashi scrambles, ends up in ropes, DRAPING G T R!?! Takagi borrows from one of the other great NEVER Openweight Champions, but he knows this still isn’t over! Tanahashi slowly rises, Takagi takes aim, runs and runs and MAXIMUM PUMPING BOMBERS!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Tanahashi survives again!! Fans rally up, “TA-KA-GI!” “LET’S GO, ACE!”

Both men slowly rise, Takagi brings Tanahashi up, pump handle but Tanahashi fights off the fireman’s, only for a point-blank LARIAT! Takagi kicks at Tanahashi, drags him up and slaps him around. Tanahashi throws forearms and Takagi just laughs! Takagi fires forearms from all sides! Takagi ROCKS Tanahashi with the tenth, but Tanahashi palm strikes! Takagi palm strikes! JAB! Tanahashi HEADBUTTS!? Fans are electric as Tanahashi fires up and runs, into a clothesline! Takagi keeps moving, but Tanahashi gets around, DRAGON SUPLEX! Takagi is back up?! Tanahashi SLINGBLADES! Cover, ONE?!?! PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, ONE!?!?!

Both men survive and fans are electric again! Takagi gets up, bites ropes as he rises, and aims from a corner. Tanahashi is in the other, and both men shout smack talk at each other! DOUBLE LARIATS!! Neither falls, Tanahashi palm strikes, Takagi POINT-BLANK LARIATS! Takagi fires up more, drags Tanahashi back up, pump handle and fireman’s carry, SLINGBLADE?!? Tanahashi turns things back in his favor and heads to a corner! Tanahashi climbs, Takagi stands, HIGH FLY ATTACK! Direct hit but Takagi flounders to ropes. Tanahashi reels him in, DRAGON SUPLEX! With a bridge, TWO!?!?! Tanahashi keeps going, goes back up, HIGH FLY FLOW!!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!!

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)

It is truly a new beginning as The Ace dethrones the Dragon! Tanahashi stands, Red Shoes hands him the belt, and Tanahashi raises the belt over his head! Takagi manages to stand, and he pats Tanahashi on the shoulder to show respect to him. They’re both willing to go again down the road, when and where will we see that epic sequel? Tanahashi gets the mic and takes a moment before he says, “Everyone. I’m very appreciative!” Tanahashi wants us all to know, that he is far from done as a pro-wrestler, and this is his new beginning, too! And so again, he is very thankful to the fans!

But wait, is he or isn’t he going to air guitar? Fans cheer louder and Tanahashi goes back in! Tanahashi decides to christen the NEVER Openweight Championship by using IT for air guitaring! Fans cheer more and Tanahashi is pretty sure they want an encore! So he gives them an encore! Tanahashi is perhaps spent after two air guitar solos and that huge main event, but fans still cheer. Tanahashi gets up, climbs a corner and gives one more encore! Fans clap along and Tanahashi returns to the mic. “Please come back! Please come back!” Tanahashi thanks the fans and promises that with love and power-

NO! Great-O-Khan attacks from behind!! Khan drags Tanahashi up and clamps on the claw! ELIMINATOR SLAM!! Khan grabs the mic and tells Tanahashi, “Oi, did you think the Tokyo Dome was the end of it?” Tanahashi, you’re going to learn that there is NOTHING you can do to stop this. You got that, right? Khan grabs the NEVER Openweight belt and says it will be his! Will the United Empire be even stronger after the Dominator dominates the Ace?

My Thoughts:

This was a great event, especially after a long Road To series that I of course skipped because it was just so much. Yano & Okada VS Yujiro & EVIL was a good match, but it makes sense for the Faces to win there. Yano is starting a new reign as the new Mr. KOPW for this year, and we’re going to see more shenanigans with the match stipulations he can cook up. Okada VS Evil seems to be building on the side, and that is a pretty good feud to bide some time. The 8 Man was a lot of fun, but it was a pretty good surprise that Sho wins off Bushi. All the stories being considered, that was one of the only options since Ibushi and Sanada need to stay even, it’s still unclear what’s building with Honma and Naito, and then Hiromu can’t lose before facing Sho. All of those stories are interesting and I can’t wait to see the payoffs.

Khan VS Tenzan was really good, and of course in a match where a move is on the line, that move was going to be used a lot. And at the same time, Khan is being built up, so of course he wins. Tenzan can’t Mongolian Chop but that is just one move in his arsenal, but also he’s a bit older, how much more is he going to do, really? Tanahashi VS Takagi was AWESOME, and I really didn’t see it going that way, but it is one of the titles Tanahashi’s never had. But then Khan going after him and having another match with Tanahashi for the title is going to be awesome. That could go either way, but I would think Tanahashi retains to try and prove he’s still got it.

My Score: 9.4/10